Spokane Valley City Council Considering Reiteration of 'Not a Sanctuary City' Status

The Spokane Valley City Council is poised to vote on a resolution reaffirming its designation as "not a sanctuary city," a political stance that echoes a similar measure from 2016. If approved, this updated resolution is unlikely to alter local law enforcement operations, as it does not include any actionable plans and merely expresses opposition to Washington's sanctuary state law. Mayor Pam Haley stated that the intention behind the measure is to ensure compliance with both federal and state laws, emphasizing public safety. Additionally, the resolution calls for cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, but it does not change the regulations governing local police interactions with federal agencies. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office has stated that its policies will remain unchanged and will continue to adhere to the existing state law, which restricts sharing information with federal forces to specific circumstances.

This resolution comes on the heels of a similar declaration by Spokane City Council affirming its sanctuary city status, reflecting a broader debate on immigration policy. Critics of such measures argue they can lead to fear within immigrant communities and divert law enforcement resources. The upcoming vote highlights the ongoing tension between local and state immigration policies.